I could see at Simmesport, once Gen. Banks forces arrived, the need for staples; food, medicine, clothing, foreage etc...,but, what did they need a Signal Corps, telegraph wagons and all equipage and men sent down from Memphis for ? During the Red River Capmaign did Gen. Banks, or Gen. Franklin (both Gen. Smith's were heading upriver) loose all of their's, or, did the Union have something else in mind ?
For all the U.S. forage missions south of Alexandria,once the Union retreated from Grand Ecore and arrived at Alexandria, and all the skirmishes around Alexandria, all of those messages were delivered by couriers ? It is my understanding that the battery telegraph wagon can only operate providing there is a wire, correct ? I thought they were a part of every patrol...shows you what I know,but, I'm learning.
In 1863 following the Battle of Bayou Bourbeau, Gen Franklin retreated to Vermilionville...Confederates kept cutting his telegraph line to Buzzards Prairie so he posted the Signal Corps in the steeple of St. John Cathedral, this is what led me to concieve that maybe Butler was attempting to do something really desperate (or stupid ).
Where , by today's location, did the Bayou Lamourie Railroad cross the Opelousas Road in 1864, and, was this the old Ralph Smith Red River Railroad ?
thank's -gumbojunkie